England

1-2

Belarus

Jenas 34

 

Kutozov 50, Kornilenko 81


'B' International Friendly 
Elite Qualifying Round
Madejski Stadium, Reading FC
8.05pm 25 May 2006

England Head Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson was positive about the benefits of the 'B' International with Belarus, finding a number of reasons to be satisfied with his night's work in preparation for the World Cup.

Speaking after game Sven said: "Michael Owen looked well for one hour, and Ashely Cole and Sol Campbell played 90 minutes. Peter Crouch played well, then if you look at the youngsters, Aaron Lennon was very good, Michael Carrick did well, and they all did well considering they'd never played together.

"We didn't deserve to lose the game because we were unlucky with both goals - especially the first one. But it's important that almost all of the players in the squad got some minutes.

"Owen is fit and we didn't want him to play any more, even though he did, because we've got two games next week.

"Aaron was very confident and Theo Walcott came on and did well and didn't look tired at all. The senior players looked fit and tonight confirmed that Lennon deserves to be in this squad."

It was not all good news for Sven however, with Robert Green suffering an injury that could rule him out of the World Cup.

The England Head Coach said: "Robert Green is almost definitely out and a scan tomorrow will confirm that.

"It's a pity both for him and for us but Scott Carson is a good goalkeeper as he showed tonight."

Sven also spoke about the other injury news that he will hear tomorrow, that of England's young striker Wayne Rooney.

Sven said: "It will be great for the country if Wayne Rooney can get fit either during or before the World Cup. We'll know tomorrow morning. I've no information and I don't think even Manchester United do."